Chemiluminescence and reactivity of aluminum monoxide (AlO) in the excited B(2Σ+) state

Using laser ablation of aluminum samples under moderate O2 pressures the chemiluminescence and reactivity of the excited AlO(B(2Σ+)) state have been measured. The analysis of the AlO(B) fluorescence corresponding to emission from different internal states with various oxygen concentrations has allowed us to obtain rate constants values for the AlO(B) + O2 reaction for different vibrational states. The results are k(ν=0) = 1.1×10−11molecule−1cm3s−1and k(ν=1) = 1.1×10−11molecule−1cm3s−1.